🌻 🌻 🌻
ANOTHER month later, we were aboard a lavish ship deck, gazing at the red and gold sea reflecting the dazzling sunset. Lucas and I were walking along the promenade on the ship’s deck. I peered up at my husband, who was escorting me.
“It reminds me of your eyes,” I murmured.
“The sunset and the sun both seem to remind you of me,” Lucas mused. “You must be quite busy always thinking of me.”
“I just trace everything back to you.” I smiled, and Lucas petted my head with a look of satisfaction.
We boarded the Counoir—a different ship from the one we used to visit House Diascia—not normally seen on the docks of Solalitika’s port. It was a large vessel that transported people instead of merchandise. The ship’s mast fluttered elegantly in the ocean breeze, and people were walking along the deck, dressed in glimmering clothes. Everyone looked so relaxed. Since this year, the ship had been making regular voyages from the main port within our nation to Lapisasther. Many new aristocrats and young nobles were curious and eager to enjoy this new ocean route, leading to its popularity.
“My lord, madam,” Leik said as he approached us. “We’ve finished unpacking your belongings in your rooms. You can relax at any time.” Leik then filled us in on the schedule until the dinner party.
Lucas turned to me. “Let’s go check out our room,” he said. “We should rest until dinner.”
“You’re right,” I agreed.
We entered the ship, and Leik guided us to our room. As we walked down the corridor, I was a touch confused; this floor was too lavish for a new aristocrat. The suite prepared for us was one of the best within the vessel.
“Oh my,” I gasped.
I stood in place, unable to set foot inside the extravagant room. Lucas had already stepped inside when he turned back toward me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Um, isn’t this suite normally reserved for royals and high-ranked nobles?” I asked.
“You’re amazing. You can even tell room ranks at a glance.” Lucas continued casually, “My origins may leave much to be desired, but I’m a friend of the third prince, and my wife is the last scion of House Karelia. Those factors allowed me to get my hands on this room.”
He grinned, happy to see my look of surprise, and strolled into the room. This VIP suite was split into several rooms, and a luxurious carpet lined the halls connecting them. The decorative windows were fitted with beautiful stained glass. Had it not been for the gentle rocking, I would’ve forgotten we were on a ship.
“I feel like I’ve been invited into a castle,” I murmured.
The view outside made it clear that we were still on board a vessel. After Leik left us, Lucas brushed his hand against one of the pillars.
“The owner of this vessel is a regular client of mine, and he usually buys marble from me,” he explained. “Our company took care of the majority of the furniture in this suite.”
“Ah, no wonder,” I replied. “Some of the items here look to be of your taste.”
“I’ve been allowed to board this ship since it was completed, but I’ve never gone to Lapisasther before. Iris, could you come here?”
He motioned to me with his hand, and I entered one of the inner rooms. I just noticed it was the bedroom when Lucas pulled me in for a tight embrace. I couldn’t hide my shock as I was caught off guard.
“Um, Lucas?” I murmured.
“We’ve got some time until dinner. Let’s relax for a bit,” Lucas whispered into my ear, his warm breath tickling me.
I hastily put my hands on his chest. “P-Please wait…”
“Hmm?”
“Cano isn’t here…is he?”
Lucas chuckled at my worried tone. “I’m not showing you to anybody. In exchange for keeping quiet about his work, I told him to stay away when we’re shooing people out.”
“So, no one’s here, then?”
“Nope. I wanted to be alone with you. You can rest easy and act cute as much as you like.”
I saw myself reflected in his amber eyes, the same color I saw when I was out on the ship’s deck. His gaze was filled with expectation, and as I imagined what his desires were, I could hardly look him in the eye.
“Cute? How can I do that?” I asked. I averted my gaze shyly, but the warm arms around me and his tantalizing whispers wouldn’t let me go.
“Want me to teach you?” Lucas murmured.
“If it’s not too embarrassing,” I replied.
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“Do I?”
“We’ve still got time until dinner. And…”
“And?”
“You’re still taking a polite tone with me.”
He lifted my chin and sealed my lips, preventing me from making any further excuses.